Timer



4 Sheet s-Sheet l A. J. sMlTll TIMER Original Filed Jan. 13, 1926 INVENTOR J ArroRNEYs WITNEssEs A. J. SMITH TIMER original Filed Jah. 13, 192e 4 sheets-sheet 2 4May 22, 1928.

INVENTOR ATTORNEYS May 22, 1928. y wwsl A. J. SMITH TIMER Original Filed Jan. 13, 1926 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Nn QN m .IJL E@ Umm. QW Wh. INH Q WITNESSES A. J. SNHTH May 22, i928.

TIMER vOriginal. Filed Jan.` l5, 1926 4 Sheetsheet 4 WITNESSES -INVENTOR A .J5

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` ATTORNEYS Patented May 22, 1928.

UNITED srATas ALGY J'. SMITH, OF SWISSVALE, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR`TO HARTFORD-EMPIRE COMPANY, OF HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT, A CORPORATION OF HELvAAEE.y

TIMER;

Application filed January 13, 1926, Serial This invention relates to timers andinore particularly to apparatus known in the trade as motor driven timers, an object lof the invention being to provide an apparatus of this character which will automatically con trol the time of openingof valves and is particularly adapted for use in the glassmaking trade, although I would have it distinctly understood that I desire to cover the apparatus broadly for any use to which it can be put. j

A further object is to provide a timer of the character stated which can be set so as to positively control the opening and closing movement of any desired number of valves, and I` may accomplish this by providing rigidly held or normally stationary cam members Which are capable of adjustment to positionv their cam faces so aste give the desired results. f

A further object is to provide an apparatus of this character which can be manufactured and sold at a reasonably low price and Which Will most etiiciently perform the functions for which it is intended. j e

A further object is to provide altimer apparatus `wherein the adjustmentsto vary the timing arey made on a normally stationary part or element, such for instance as the stationary cam. Thus the adjustments may be made conveniently and accurately While the timer is in operation. n i

With these and other objects in View, the invention consists in certain novel. features of construction and combinations and arrangements of parts, which will be more fully hereinafter described and pointed out in the claims. y

ln the accompanying drawings Figure 1 is a view in longitudinal section illustrating my improved timer.

Figure 2 is a vievv in vertical transverse section on the line 2 2 of Figure 1, the view being on an enlarged scale;

Figure 3 is a similar view in section on the line 3 3 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a similar'vievv in section on tulle line 1 1 of Figure 1;

Figures 5 and 6 are views in section, at right angles to each other, rillustrating a modification in which Woodruff keys" are employed instead of the single key shown in Figure 3;

Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 1, illustrating a modification;

No. 81,113. Renewed November 13, 1.926.

Figure -8 is a view in lvertical `transversev section on an enlarged scale on the line 8 8 of Figure 7 Figure 9 is a similarview lin section on These reference characters 2, 3 and r4 are.

employed` to designate the valve as a Whole, although only the easings of suc-h valvesr are:` shown, said valveslloeing opened and closed through thc medium of'crank arms 5, 6 and 7, respectively, yconnected to the respective valves, as clearly shownlin Figure 1j. These: valves may control the flow of air or any other fluid,v and While havevillustrated three of such valves it is'obvious that' any desired number may be employedwith the correspendingv number of operating mech-vanisms, suchas Will be hereinafter'described in connection With the three valves. i i

A seriesl of bearing brackets 8 are lfixed to the base 1 and provide mounting forja plurality of nested shafts, the inner ,shaft 9 constituting a solid ,shaft andy `the other shafts 10, 11 and 124 constituting tubular shafts of graduatedy increasing diameter.. loosely fitting one upon the other and adaptedV to move relatively to each other, as vvill i be more yfully hereinafter described. i

kThe inner or solid shaft 9 also Vyhas mounting in a bearing 13 and carries avvorm Wheel 14 Which is driven by a worm 15 son a shaft 16. vThis shaft 16 also hasa disk 17 fixed thereon which is driven by a friction pinion 18 on the drive shaft 19 of an electric or other motor 20. i 4

As illustrated in Figures 1 and 3, a single key 21 is projected through the solid shaft,

9 and through longitudinal slots 22 in-the tubular shafts 10, 11 and 12 so as to compely all ofthe shafts to revolve together but per` mitting independent longitudinalmovement of the. several tubular shafts.

In, `the modification illustrated in Figures 5 and. 6, instead of employing a single key 21 I employ What is known in the trade ,as`

lVoodruft keysj2), projecting through slots 24 in therespectivejshafts 1.0, 11 .and 1 2, andl into recesses 25 in the solid shaft 9. These keysare held in place byr a ring 26 having adjusting screws 26a thereinftoenfure 4, the split portionjbeing bridged by an,I

adjusting screw 28 to securely clamp them on the shafts. lThese collars engage rollers 29 on the respective crank arms 5, 6 and 7 so that When the collars are moved longitu dinally the crank shafts are moved to open and close the valves, as Will more fully hereinafter appear'.

The base 1 supports a longitudinal series f of vertically disposed uprights 30, the upper portion of said uprights being circular in form and constituting rigidlv mounted disks, and for convenience of description I shall give these several disks separate reference characters. Beginning With the left of Figure 1, these disks l number in order 31, 32, 33 and 34.

Between each pair of disks Iy provide tivo cam members 35 and 36. As each pair of cam members is precisely alike lexcept the diameter of hole in centre, the description hereinafter of one pair will apply alike to all.

The cam members 35 and 36 are circular and of disk-like form and are vmounted to turn freely 'on bushings'supporting the respective shafts but are held against movement by means of spring catches 37, saidv catches having pins 38 adapted to be projected through registering openings 39 in the cam members and in the stationary disks as illustratedjin Figure 1. In other Words, each stationary disk has a circular series of .openings 39 in any of Which the catch pin 38 may be located to properly position the cam member.

These cam members preferably have'annular flanges 40 opposing each other and meeting so as to form an enclosure or eneasement, and in each of said enclosures or encasements a crank arml is mounted. There are three of these crank arms shown to which I have given reference numerals 41, 42 and 43, respectively. The crank arm 41 is fixed to the tubular shaft 16; the crankt arm 42 is fixed to the tubular shaft 11; and

the crank arm 43 is fixed to the tubular shaft 12. These arms 41, 42 and 43 carry rollers 44 at their free ends, and said rollers are adapted to engage cams 45 on the respective cam members Which Will cause their respective shafts to be moved longitudinally to positively move the valves to open and closed positions.

It Will be noted that these cams 45 on the respective pairs of cam members function to positively move the arms first in one direction and then in the other direction, and, as these cam members are capable of an- .nular adjustment to position the cams as may be desired to time the opening and the closing of the valves, it is also possible that through manual error these cams may be opposed directly to each other Which would cause the arms or some other part of the mechanism to be broken, and to prevent this possibility I provide on the outside of each cam member laterally projecting lugs or stops 46 which Will strike each other and prevent possibility oft-he cams being located directly opposite to each other.l

The operation of this form of my invention Will be apparent. As all of the shafts are continuously revolved at the desired speed in accordance With the position of the friction pinion 18 on the face of the disk 17 all of thecrank arms41, 42 and 43 will likewise turn with their shafts, and as thc rollers 44 on said arms engage the cams 45 the respective shafts Will be causedr to move longitudinally and this longitudinal movei ment of the shafts Will cause the opening and closing of the valves as above explained.

rIhe timing of the said movement ofthe valves is regulated by the positions of the respective cams andas said cams are mounted on members capable of adjustment the operation can be arranged to suit any 'condition.

'In the modification illustrated in- Figures 7 to 10, inclusive, I provide a base 1, motor 20, shaft 19, friction pinion 18, friction disk 17, Worm 15, shaft 16, and' Worm Wheel 14 similar to that shown in the form above described.

In this modification I have illustrated but two valves 47 and 48 although of course it is to be understood that any ilesired-numbcr of valves' with correspondii'ig operating mechanism may be provided. y

In this modification four tubular nested shafts 50, 51, 52 and 53 are provided, said series of shafts being supported in suitable bearing brackets 54 and 55. The lnearing brackets 55 have bearings 56 in which the hubs 57 of a cam casing` 58 are mounted to turn, and this cam casing is lixed to turn With the solid shaft '49 which is driven by the Worm Wheel 14. This cam casing 58 may be made up of any desired number of sections secured together by bolts 59, and said sections are capable of adjustment relativ-cito each other to properly position cams 60 therein relative to each other.

Said shafts .50, 51, 52 and 53 are provided, respectively, With crank arms 61, 62, 63 and 64 Within the cam casing 58, and these crank arms 61, 62, 63 and 64 are rigidlyviixed to their respective shafts and carry rollers 64 at their free. ends to engage the cams 60. As

in the other form, these cams'are so arranged at opposite sides of the crank arms'as topositively move said crank arms in the opposite direction to cause the respective pairs of shafts to be moved longitudinally in opposite directions. l'

One of the main differences between this modification and the preferred form is that in this modification the tubular shafts do not revolve but are ycaused to move longitudinally by the engagement of the cams in the rotary cam casing with the crank arms 6l, 62, 63, 64, respectively.

The valves 47 and 48 have crank arms 65 thereom'said crank arms having rollers 66 at their freeends engaged by collars 67 and 68, respectively. These collars 67 and 681are secured to their respective shafts by jam screws 69 so as to hold them at any annular adjustment on their respective shafts; u

One pair of collars 67 and 68 is mounted on shafts 51 and 50, respectively, and is positioned close together. The other pairof collars-67 and 68 is mounted on shafts 53 andA 52, respectively, `and is shown positioned close togetherl as it should be, but it is to be understood that each member ofl each pair is movable annular-ly with its respective mate to make proper adjustment and swing the valves in opby gravity or springs in the notches but are capable of being swung out of the notches to allow the collars to be turnedby handles 72 fixed to the collars; f y

The reason for permitting adjustment of i the collars annular-ly is to manually move the moved longitudinally or reciprocated in opcranlr arms as it is to be understood that these collar members are fixed to their respective shafts, and the turning of a collar member causes a corresponding turning movement of the shaft and its operating crank` arm so as yto vary the positions Aof said crank arms relative to the cams and give the desired time of positive movement to the re-` spective valves.l As it is possible to move these cam operated arms so that they might be broken if alined, or if the cams are alined, I have provided, on said collars,stops 73 which Will strike each other and prevent the possibility of the turning movement'of the collars to a position which would causevdamage to the apparatus. f r y In the operation of this modified form of device, the cam casing 58 is revolved and the respective cams 60 therein engage the arms 61, 62, 68 and 64, respectively, to cause the several pairs of shafts 50, 5l and 52, 53 to be spirit and scope of the posite directions, and the movement of vthese theparts so as to synchronize the opening of any number of valves, switches or any other apparatus, and `.vhile I shall refer to the operated means as valves it vis to be understood that Ido not limit myself in this particular.

The cani or crank arms can be adjusted so i that the time of operation of any valve or any number of valves may ,be regulated the valve and the time of opening, and, furthermore, ,this operationl of adjustment may take place While the machine is 1n operation'regardless of the speed of lthe ma-v chine. Furthermore, the apparatus is capable of a Wide range of utility and therefore I do not limit myself'to any particular' use.

f Various" slight changes and' alterations might bek made in the general form of the parts described without Adeparting from my invention and hence I do not limit myselfto the precise details set forth but consider myself atlibertyto malte such slight changes and Aalterations `as vfairly fall Within the appended claims. v4Icl'aim: f i f LA .machine of the class described, including a plurality of nestedy shafts, means operatively connecting saidv shafts with a part to be moved, and means for imparting independent movement to a shaft, said shafts keyed toV turnl together but capable independently of longitudinal inovement;

yse either asregards the opening or closing of 2. A` machine of the class described, in-

cluding a pluralityr of nested shafts, means operatively connecting saidshaftsv with a part to be moved, and means for imparting independent movement' to a shaft, said means imparting positive movement to the shafts inv both directions, said shafts keyed to turn ltogether but capable independently of longitudinal movement.V

' A :machine'of the character described, including a pluralityof nested shafts, valve engaging means operatively connected to the respective shafts, and cams impart-ing longitudinal movement'to said shafts to open and yclose the valves, said movement ,being positive in both directions. n I v 4.' A machiner of the v,class described, including a plurality of nested tubular shafts, means operatively connect-ing said shafts With a part to be moved, means for imparting Iindependent movement to a shaft, al

motor driven shaft Within lthe nested shafts and imparting continuous rotary motion thereto','a nd adjustable means controlling the longitudinal movements of the shafts for timing the movement of any shaft in either or both direct-ions.

5. A machine of the class described, including a plurality of nested tubular shafts, means operatively connecting said shafts With a part to be moved, means for imparting independent movement to a. shaft, said means imparting posit-ive movement to the shafts in both directions, a motor vdriven shaft within the nested shafts imparting continuous rotaryn'iotion thereto, and adjustable means controlling the longitudinal movements of the shafts for timing the movement of any shaft in either or both directions.

6. A machine of the class described, in?

cluding a plurality of nested tubular shafts, means operatively connect-ing said Ashafts with a part to be moved, means for imparting independent movement to a shaft, said shafts keyed to turn together but capa-ble iiiiflepeiidently of longitudinal movement, a motor rdriven shaft ivithin the nested shafts and imparting continuous rotary motion thereto, and adjustable means controlling the longitudinal movements of the shafts for timing the movement of any shaft in either or both directions.

l 7. A machine of the class described, in*

cluding a plurality of nested tubular shafts,.

means operatively connecting said shafts with a part to be moved, means forl imparting independent movement to a` shaft, said means imparting positive movement to the shafts in both directions, said shafts keyed to turn together but capable independently of longitudinal. movement, a` motor driven shaft Within the nested shaft-s and impart--y ing continuous rotary motion thereto, an d adjustable means controlling the longitudinal movements of the shafts for timing the movementof any shaft in either or both directions.

8. A machine of the character described, including a plurality of nested tubular shafts, valve engaging means operatively connected to the respective shafts, cams imparting longitudinal movement to said shafts to open and close the valves, a motor driven shaft Wit-hin the nested shaftsl and imparting continuous rotary motion thereto, and adjustable means controlling the movements of the shafts for timing the movement of any shaft in either or both directions whereby the time of movement and the time of remaining open of each valve can be controlled. Y

9. A machine of the character described, includingy a shafts, valve engaging means operatively connected to the respective shafts, cams imparting longitudinal movement to said shafts vto open and close the valves, said movement being positive in both directions,

plurality of nested .tubular a motor driven shaft Within the nested ling the longitudinal movements of the shafts for timing the movement of any shaft in either or both directions whereby the-time of movement and the time of remaining of each valve can be controlled.

10. A machine of the character described, including a plurality of nested shafts, valve operating means connected to the respective shafts, cam members concentric with the shafts and having cams thereon, said niembers adaptedto be adjusted-around the shafts to position the cams at points desired,means for locking said cam members against movement after adjustment, and arms fixed to the respective shafts and vengaging the cam niembcrs.

11. A machine of the character described, including a plurality of nested shafts, valve operating means connected to the respect-ive shafts, cainmeinbers concentric with the shafts andy having cams thereon, said members adapted to be adjusted aroundthe shafts op en to position the cams at the .point-s desired, means for locking said cam members against movement after adjustment, and arms fixed to the respective shafts and `engaging the cam members, said cam members having annular `Hanges thereon and each pair of cam members functioning as an enclosurefoi an arm.

' 12. A machine of the character described,

including a plurality of nested shafts, valve operating means connected'to the respective shafts, cam members concentric with the shafts and vhaving cams thereon, said members adapted to be adjusted around the shafts to position the cams at the points desired,

means for locking sai-d cai'nfmeii'ibers against` movement after adjustment, arms fixed to the respective shafts and engaging the cam members. said cam members having annular flanges thereon and each pair of cam members functioning as an enclosure foran arm, each cam member having a spring catch pin thereon, and fixed members having a circular series of openings therein to receive the pins and holdfthe cam members at any position of adjustment, said parts constituting the cam member securing means.

13. A machine of the character described. including aplurality ofnested shaft-s, fixed cam members, arms on the shafts engaging the cam members to independently move the shafts longitudinally and positively in both directions, grooved collars on the respective shafts, and valve crank arms engaging said collars. f

14. In timer mechanism, the combination of a plurality of stationary cams, a plurality of control elements each arranged to be actuated by one of the cams, means .for moving said elements relative to their cams to effect actuation, and means for adjusting v the operative .relation between each of the cams and the corresponding control elementto ,inde-l' pendently vary the beginning and the-ending of the actuation of the control element by its cam.

v 15. In timing mechanism, the combination of a stationary cam, a control shaftmounted for both a rotary movement on its longitudinal axis and a longitudinal movement, means for rotatingsaid shaft, connections whereby the longitudinal movements of the shaft effect. thecontrol operations, a member carried by said shaft'andmoved by engagement with the cam to impart longitudinal movements to the shaft, and means for, varying the time of occurrence of the .control operation in a cycle of rot-ation of the control shaft including.` the adjustmentofl the operative relation between the cam and thememloer. 16. In timing mechanism, the combination of a stationary cam, a control shaft mounted for both a rotary movement on its longitudinal axis and a longitudinal movement, means'for rotating said shaft, connections whereby the longitudinal movements of thek shaft effect the control operations, a member carried by said shaft and ymoved by engagement with the cam to impart longitudinal movement to the shaft, and means for varying the time of occurrence of the control operation in a cycle of rotation of the control shaft including the adjustment of the cam.

17. In timer mechanism, the combination of a plurality of parallel shafts mounted for both rotary and longitudinal movements, means for rotating said shafts, means whereby the longitudinal movements of said shafts effect the control operations, a plurality of stationary cams, a member carried by each of said shafts and caused to 4move by en,- gagement with one of said cams to impart longitudinal lmovement to its shaft, and means for adjusting the cam to vary the timing of the longitudinal movements of the shaft.

18. A mechanism for actuating a plurality of valves, comprising a plurality of cams mounted on a common axis, connections between each cam and one of the valves, and

means for causing -a relative rmovement be-l tween each cam and its connections whereby the valve is actuated, said connections from one cam to its valve passing within the periphery of another cam.

19. A valve actuating mechanism comprising a plurality of cams, a roll engaging each cam,'said cams and rolls being mounted for movement about a common axis, means for rotatng one of said members about the axis, means to permit the adjustment of the other member about the axis, and connections between one of the members and a valve whereby the valve will be actuated by the movement of the member in the line of the axis.

ves

20.' In timer mechanism, the 'coinloinationV of a control member, a stationary cam comprising two sections in variable relationwith each other, said sections being arranged to actuate ,the control member in `opposite directions, and means to move the control member relative to thepcam to effect actuation. l

21. In timer mechanism,vthe combina-tion of a cont-rol member, a stationary lcam comprising two sections in variable relation with each other, said sections being arranged to actuate-the control member in vopposite ydirections, means to move the control member relative to the cam to effect actuation, and means for adjusting one of the cam sections to vary the vrelation between the opposite actuations of the control member. j s 22. In timer mechanism, thecombination of a shaft mounted for longitudinalmovement, connections whereby the longitudinal movements-of the shaft effect the con-` trol operations, a contact member-associated with the shaft to effect longitudinal movements of the latter, a stationarydem comprisng two sections, one of saidsections being variable in relation to the other section, said sections being arranged to actuate the member to move the shaft longitudinally in opposite directions, and means to move the member in engagement with the sections to effect actuation.

23. In timer mechanism, the combination of a shaft mounted for 'longitudinal move-V ment, connections whereby the longitudinal movements of the shaft effect the control operations, a contact member associated` with the shaft to effect longitudinal movements of the latter, a stationary cam comprising two sections,"said sections being arranged` to actuate the member to move the shaft longitudinally in opposite directions, means to move the member in engagement with the sections to effect actuation, and

means for adjusting one ofthe cam sections to vary the relative timing of the opposite actuations of the member.

24. In timer mechanism, the combination of a plurality of shafts mounted for longitudinal movements and also rotary movements about their longitudinal axes, connectionsr whereby the longitudinal` movements of the shafts effect the several control operations, a contact member associated with each shaft and arranged to effect by its rotation longitudinal movements of the latter, a stationary cam for each contact member, said cam comprising two cam sections `arranged to actuate the contact member in opposite directions, and means to rotate the contact members to effect rotation.

tudinal movements and also rotary movements about their longitudinal axes, connectionsl Whereby 'the longitudinal movements ofthe shafts effect the several control operations, a contact member associated with each shaft and arranged to effect by its rotation longitudinal movements of the latter', a stationary? cam for each contact member, said cam` comprising tWo cam sections arranged to actuate the contact m-ember in oppositeV directions, means to rotate the contact members to effect rotation7 and means lfor adjusting one of the cam sections to vary the'relation between the opposite Vactuation ofthe Corresponding Contact member.

26. In timer mechanism, the combination of a pair of cam members mounted on a common support and having their adjacent faces provided with cam portions, a contact member movable between said cam members and actuated in opposite directions by said Cam portions, andmeans for adjusting the relation between the cam members t-o vary the interval between opposite cam effects imparted to the Contact member. I

Y 27. In timer mechanism, the combination ofga plurality of parallel shafts mounted for both rotar movement about a common axis and also or longitudinal movement, means forv rotating said shafts, means whereby the' longitudinal movements of said shafts effect the control operations, and a plurality of stationary cams, each of said shaftsbeing operatively related to one of said camsfso that the rotation of the shaft imparts longitudinal movement to the latter. A

28. In timer mechanism, the combination; of a plurality of parallel shafts mounted for both rotary movement aboutl a common axis and also for longitudinal movement, means forrotating said shafts, means whereby the longitudinal movement of said shafts effects the control operations, a plurality of stationary cams, each of said shafts being operatively related to one of said cams lso that the rotation of the shaft imparts longitudinal movement to the latter, and means. for adjusting the relation between the cam and the shaft-s to vary the timing of the longi tudinal movements of the shafts.'A

ALGY J. SMITH. 

